Would Retain Title Of Air Force Space Commander

President Donald Trump has nominated Air Force Gen. John W. “Jay” Raymond to be the commander of U.S. Space Command.

Raymond currently holds the position of Air Force Space Commander, and would retain that title if he is confirmed by the U.S. Senate to run the new combatant command focusing on space operations and war doctrine.

Space News reports that Gen. Raymond has led the USAF Space Command since October, 2016. He has been in the Air Force for more than 34 years.

The President directed the Department of Defense to establish a "functional Unified Combatant Command" on December 18th last year. A similar command existed from 1985 through 2002, when its functions were taken over by the U.S. Strategic Command under President George W. Bush. It would become the 11th combatant command.

President Trump had initially championed a "Space Force" as a separate branch of the military, which met with resistance from some in the DoD. However, military leaders have been unified in their support for the re-establishment of the Space Command given advances in the arena by both China and Russia.

The Pentagon has requested $83.4 million in fiscal year 2020 for the Space Command. It would consist of some 600 personnel at four bases in California, Nebraska and Colorado. Lawmakers have urged the DoD to consider bases in Texas or Florida for a permanent headquarters.

(USAF image)

FMI: Source report